By Lisa Goudy
Justin Hammer has a long list of reasons to be against the city’s local improvement program.
“We are not
against replacing the cast iron water mains. We believe that they need to be
replaced, but we believe there are many, many alternatives to look at for
funding this and this is the most unfair option for the city,” said Hammer, a
real estate agent and one of the concerned residents opposed to the LIP.
“It’s also a
dangerous model. We believe if the city can get away with funding public
infrastructure with the local improvement program now, they will continue to
use this for sewer mains, all types of water mains, streets, sidewalks, curbs,
gutters, et cetera that are in front of your house.”
On Monday at a
special meeting of city council, council approved the LIP cast iron water main
construction bylaw for 2016 in a vote of 4-3 with Mayor Deb Higgins, Coun.
Heather Eby, Coun. Patrick Boyle and Coun. Candis Kirkpatrick in favour and
Coun. Don Mitchell, Coun. Brian Swanson and Coun. Dawn Luhning opposed. The
mandatory LIP will see the city pay for 70 per cent of the program and residents
directly affected by the work pay for 30 per cent of the program.
Hammer said he
believes the program to be “very shortsighted” and that it will set a precedent
for future infrastructure improvements.
